Milling machine



July 1943 1.. E. POOLE 7 2,325,541

MILLING MACHINE Filed Dec. 4, 1939 .8 SheetsSheei 1 July 27, 1943. POOLE MILLING MACHINE File. Dec. 4. 1939 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEY/4 July 27, 1943. L. E. POOLE MILLING MACHINE Filed Dec. 4, 1939 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 i %VENTOR July 27, 1943. 1.. E. POOLE MILLING MACHINE Filed Dec. 4, 1939 8 Sheets-Sheet '4 l VENT ATTORNEY;

8 Sheets-Sheet 5 July 27, 1943- E. POOLE NTLLING MACHINE Filed Dec. 4, 1939 July 27, 1943. L, POOLE MILLING momma Filed Dec. 4, 1939 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 mwN i BYZ /%VENTOR I M W24 RWN ORNEY wnw uww QNN whw NM QR kww NEW L. E. POOLE MILLING MACHINE July 27, 1943.

Filed Dec. 4, 1959 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 oslfi lgENTgR Patented Jill 27, 1943 MILLING MACHINE Lora E. Poole. Anderson, Ind as signor to General Motors Corporation, Detroit,

tion of Delaware Mich, a corpora vApplication December 4, 1939, Serial No. 307,378

(Cl. Sit-45) v 7 Claims. This invention relates to milling machinery and more especially to machinery for milling out grooves in small work pieces stamped from sheet metal such as for milling grooves'in cylinder lock keys. .311"

It is among the objects of the invention to provide a machine of simple'and durable con struction to be economicallymanufactur'ed and whichwill perform milling operations at the mini* mum cost Q f Another object of the present invention is to provide improved means for automatically feeding work pieces to the milling cutters of. the machine and removing the milled work pieces from the machine. l

Further objects and invention will be apparentirom the ,following description, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings wherein a preferred embodiment-of one form of the present invention is clearly shown. i

In the drawings:

advantages of the present I |3-|3 of Fig. 7 showing a key blank being operated upon by two milling'cutters.

Fig. 14 is a sectional view on theline HA4 of Fig. 11. Fig. is taken on the line i5'l5 of Fig. 12.

Fig. 16 is a sectional view on the line I 6-! 6,

' of Fig. 12.

Fig. 1 is a perspective View of themachine taken from the front and right "side, the front being-that part of the machine directly adjacent the operator who places the work piece-blanks in a magazine.

V Fig. 2 is a perspective view takenfr'om the rear and one side of the machine.

Figs. 3 and '4 taken together viewof the machine.

Fig- 5 located on the same sheet with Fig. 3 is a fragmentary elevational view partly in section. This view is taken looking in the direction of arrow 5 of Fig. 3 and the sectional portion is on the section line 5 -5 of Fig. 3. i

Fig. 6 which is on the ame sheet of Fig. 4 is asectionalview on the line 6-5 of F'ig. 4.

. Figs 7 and 8 taken together constitute a longitudinalsectional view through the machine.

shows the blank feeding mechanism in a position.

of operation difier'ent from that shown in'Fig. 7.

constitute a plan Fig. 12 a plan view of a portion of the machine shown in Fig. 7 and is partly in section, thatsection being taken on the line l2-|2 of Fig. 13 is a full scale sectional view on the line Fig. 17 is a sectional view on the line I'l'-l1 of Fig. 12. Fig. 18 is a sectional view on the line l8-"-l8 of Fig. l1. I

Fig; l9 is a sectional view on the line. Iii-J9 ofFig.3. l.

Fig. 20 is a planview-of a work piece clamping slide. a

Fig. Fig. Fig.

21 is a left end View thereof.

22isaright end View thereof.

23 is a plan view of. thework piece carrier. Fig. 24 is a left end view thereof. l r Fig. 25 isa sectional view on the line 25 25 ofFig.23. I

v Fig. 26 is a planj view of the work piece slide clamp which is to be'mounted upon the carrier shown in Fig. 23.. y 1

Fig. 27 is an edgeview of the slide clamp shown in Fig. 26.

Fig. 28 is a plan view of the stationary slide clamp which is to be mounted upon carrier of Fig. 23. n

Fig. 29 is an edge view of the stationary slide clampshown in Fig. 28.

Fig. 30 is an edgeview of one of the tracks which guide and support the carrier shown in Fig. 23.

Fig. 31 is a left end view thereoi.- Fig. 32 is a front face of the workpiece ejecting lever.

Fig. 33 is a left end view thereforj Fig. 34 is an elevationahview looking in the direction of arrow 34 in Fig. 11 of a bracket for supporting the work piece carrier guiding tracks a portion thereof adjacent the milling-cutters.

Fig. 35 is a sectional view'on the line 3535 of Fig. 34.

- Fig. 36 is a topplan viewof a pressure finger for engaging the movable clamp which laterally.

engages the work piece, said clampbeing shown in Fig. 26.

Fig. 3'7 is anedge View of thepressure finger shownin Fig. 36.

Fig. 38 is an elevational view-looking in thedirection of arrow 38 of Fig. 12 of a plate for supporting the pressure finger-illustrated in Fig. 36. a

Fig. .39 is an edge view of the plate shown in Fig. 38.

The machine comprises abase or main frame 46 supported above a floor by legs il and 42. Frame it supports brackets t3 and id including respectively pairs of bearing pedestals 55 and The pair of pedestals a is braced by a bar 47 and the pedestal 46 by a bar 18. These bearing pedestalsirotatably support a rocker arm .49; and the bearing pedestal 45 rotatably sup? ports a rocker arm 58.

These rocker arms 49 and 53 are each fixed to a shaft such as 5! shown in Figs. 3 and i in the sectional portion thereof. Shaft 5! is 'journaled in tapered roller bearings 52 carried by the bearing pedestals 55.

Referring to Fig. 3, the arms 39 and 5% include split tubular portions 53 and 5d respectively with which screws 55 and 5t respectively cooperate to clampingly engage tubular-sleeves bl 58 respectively. Fig. 5 discloses details of the split tubular portion 53 of the rocker arm i8 and the tubular sleeve 57 mountedtherein'. Sleeve 5i supports tapered roller bearings which rotatably support a spindle 68. 'Sleeve 5'! is secured to aflange 6! upon which is mounted an electric motor 62, the shaft-63 of which is drivingly connected with the spindle The assembly of sleeve 5?, flange 6| and motor 62 may be adjusted axially of the split tubular portion 53 of rocker arm 49 and may be secured in the desired position of adjustment with respect to part 53 by clamping nuts 54 and 65 screw threadedly cooperating with the sleeve 5'5. In a similar manner the split tubular portion 5 3 of rocker arm 58 adjustably supports a subassemb-ly comprising sleeve 5B,.a flange 63 and an electric motor 69 which drives a spindle it. In Fig.5 the spindles 60 and lfi'are' shown, but are broken away in Fig. 3 in order not to obscure certain other parts. p i

'Upon spindles 6'6 and it are mounted rotary milling cutters H and ill respectively which engage a' work piece blank'such as a key blank indicated-by K. (See'Figs. 5 and 13.) By a key blank feeding means to be described later the key blank K is positionedbetween the-cutters H and 12 while they are separated adistance greater than the thickness of the blank. By a mechanism now to be described the rocker arms 49 and 52 are concurrently operated in opposite directions in order to move the'milling cutters I5 and "I2 into engagement with the blank K. While the blank K is thus 'engagedby the milling cutters the blank K is dragged by the key blank feeding means against the action" 83' driven by an electric motor 8 1 mounted-on plate Bdsupportedby the'legs .of the machine frame. Shaft. iitlfis supported by bearings 86 and 81 carried respectivelyby bearing pedestals 7 88 andflfi integral 'with a bracket which includes a coverplate SI for an opening 92 in the right end wall 53 of frame asshown also in Fig.8. The shaft 86 drives a worm 9t meshing I with awcrm wheel 95 which is mounted on a shaft 86 supported by bearings'STan-d 98 pro- ,videdrespecti-vely by brackets 95 and iilii at tached to the frame 43. Shaft 96 drives a cam IllI having a race I02 receiving a roller camfollower I93 mounted on a pin I04 carried by a slide I85 guided for horizontal movements by brackets 58$ and I8! attached to the frame 39. Shaft Q 5 drives a plate cam IIB carrying on its upper surface a lobe III and upon its lower surface a lobe II2. Between the hub I I3 of cam ME? and the bracket I05] is located a roller step bearing Ii which transmits the weight of the shaft 96 and parts mounted thereon to the bracket IEEQ and thence to the frame 49. The upper'surface of cam plate Hi3 and the lobe HI is engaged by the follower roller I29 mounted ,upon a rod I25 carried by the lower end of a cylindrical block E22 provided with a notch I23 receiving the roller I26.

The block I22 is adjustably mounted in the tubular end I24, of arm The block I22 is secured in the desired position of the vertical adjustment with reference to the tubular portion I24 by nuts I25 and 526 which threadedly engage the block I22.

Between the upper end of'block I 22 and a bracl'-' et Sill is located a pressure spring I28 which urges the roller I20 against the cam II or its lobe Ill. The bracket I2! is supported by the upper end of a pedestal I29" secured to the base 66.

The lower surface of cam plate I I0 and the lobe l 52 is engaged by roller I36 mounted on rod I St carried by a cylindrical block l32' received portion L34 in the desired position of vertical adjustment by nuts I35 and I355. The rollerJSfl is arranged against the roller surface of cam plate HE! and 'the cam l0be'II2 by a spring I38 located in a recess I39'provided by the pedestal base I29 and the frame 40. The'cam lobes IH and H2 are so located that the rocker arms 49 5% will concurrently rock in opposite directions simultaneously in order to cause-the milling cutters II and I2 to'engage the key blank K simultaneously. r

The mechanism for feeding the work blanks to the milling cutters and'for moving them against the cutting action of the cutters will now be described. Referring to'Fig. 7 the slid'e'bar E95 which is actuated by the cam Illi of Fig. 8 carries a port. Mil having a bifurcated portion MI screw threadedly connectedvby'screw I42 having shoulders I4 3 and I ll between which is located a bifurcated extension N5 of a block 5.. By turning the screw I42, the block MS can be adjusted horizontally with respect to the postlli of the slide bar I95. The screw I42 is secured in the desired position of adjustment by tightening of a clamping screw I 51. which forces together thebifurcations of parts I ll in order to clamp the screw I42 under pressure. The head of the screw I l! finds clearance in a groove I138 provided by a bracket I59 (seeFig, 9) and the head of the screw is accessible through an opening MB of said bracket. .Bracket. I] and a similar being shown in detail in Figs. 30 and 31.

Rail

provides a groove I54 for receiving a tongue the blank conveying apparatus.

maintain the blanksK in proper alignment with This pedestal 280- i provided with ears -'282 through which screws 283 pass for'securing the pedestal 280 to the rails I52 and I53. Holes 284 are providedin the rails for receiving such screws as is shown in Fig. The groove 28 I, in magazine pedestal 235 opens out uponthe table 200 and i closed bya hinged door 285. The pedestal 28!] supports a rod 290 shown in Figs. '7, 11 and 12, upon which is mounted an ejector'lever 29I urgedclockwise by spring 292 which'surrounds the stud 293 fixed to the magazine pedestal 289 and having'a reduced end extendin througha hole in the lever 29I'. 'The lever 29I has a pointed arm 29d of such width as to be received by a'notch' I83 provided in the clamping slide I75 in order that the pointed arm 254 may be permitted to extend down under the key blank K and lift it from the blank con veyor', slide I79 during movement of said slide from operating position towardthe lever to the non-operating position.

The mode of operation of the apparatus will now be described. Starting with. a key blank K in the lowest position in the stack provided by the magazine 289,- blankK thenrests upon that surface of the carrier Ill which defines the bottom of the groove IBI; At thetime the blank K drops into this groove the clamping slide I15 has been retracted toward the left, as shown in Fig. 12, inorder to allow plenty of clearance around the I40 move toward the right from theposition shown in Fig. 11, the block I is caused to move toward the right carrying with it the lever 2&3

which is moved out of engagement with the screw 2E2 thereby permitting the spring 210 to actuate plunger 212 to cause the lever 263 to rotate upon the pin 265 clockwise and tomove the clampingslide I15 into engagement with the head of the key blank'K thereb clamping it within the recess I8I and between surfaces of the carrier ill! and slide I15. As the block I45 continues on with its, movement the blank K passes under the holddown roller 245.! and finally the laterally moving clamping block. I95 is engaged by the pressure finger ZIU and pressure is transmitted to the key blank K from the springs 235 so that, by the'time, the key blank K has arrived under the milling cutters Hand 12, it is clamped in three directions, namely (1) longitudinally be tween surfaces previded by the carrier Ilil and the clamping bar H5, 2) laterally between the clamping parts I90 and I95 and (3) vertically between the pressure roller 240 and the carrier "0, all a shown in Fig. 3. Immediately following the location of the ke in position for operation upon the cutters 'II and I2, the arms 49 and 50 are engaged by the cam lobes III and I I2 respectively of the cam H0 and inorder to cause the cutters to engage the key and to cut therein.

the end portions of grooves of the nature indicated particularly in Fig. 13. The cams IIS and IOI rotate clockwise as viewed in Fig. 4. These cams are in such position that the arm '49 and 50 areabout to be so rocked upon their pivots that the milling cutters will engage the key blank; As the-milling cutters are held in engagement with the key blank while the lobes II I and I I2 are traveling clockwise from the position shown-in Fig. 4, the cam IOI will also travel from the positoin shown in Fig. 4 and will cause the slide bar" I55 to move from right toward left to cause the key to be dragged under the operating milling cuttersin order that grooves may be cut therein as shown in Fig. 13. Thus While the key blank is being pulled back toward its original position the milling cutters operate upon it to cut the required grooves.

Shortly after the-instant the key blank has been dragged free from the milling cutters, the groove I of the clamping slide I15 will have been located vertically under the arm 294 of the ejector lever 29I thereby permitting said pointed arm to be located down under the left hand edgeof the key blank K whereupon further movement of the slide [as and block I46 and carrier I'll] toward the left will result in the key blank K being lifted by the ejector lever 29I from the carrier. The key blank K having been lifted from the carrier may be readily swept off from the top of the carrier either by a blast of air from a nozzle, orby pressure of a constantly flowing stream ofrluid which lubric'ates and cools the operating parts, particularly'the milling cutters; A continuously flowing stream of liquid has been found satisfactory as it not only sweeps away the finished key blanks but also flushes out chips of material removed by the milling cutters, said chips sliding down the inclined surfaces provided respectively by'the blocks 'Zifi and 255, shown in Fig. 11.

While the form of embodiment of the present invention as herein disclosed constitutes a preferred form, it is to be understood that other I forms mightbe adopted, all coming within the scope of the claims which-follow. What is claimed is as follows:

1. In a machine for milling longitudinal grooves in key blanks, the combination of a cutter carrying spindle bodily movable relative to the blank, a blank carrier providing a recess for receiving a key blank; a slide supported on the carrier having jaws for longitudinally gripping the head of the key blank; jaws carried by the carrier for laterally gripping the side edges of the key blank, means rendered efiective by movement of the carrier to a position adjacent the cutter spindle for causing the slide to move longitudinally with respect to the carrier and causing the jaws to engage the key blank, and means for ejecting the blank from the carrier during movefor causing the jaws'to engage the key blank,

hold-down roller'under which the blank passes while being operated upon by the cutter, and springs for urging the roller against the blank.

3.'In a machine for milling grooves in key blanks, the combination of a cutter carrying spindle bodily movable relative to the blank, a blank carrier providing a recess for receiving a vkey blank and having jaws for longitudinally gripping the head of the key blank and jaws for laterally gripping the side edges of the key blank. means rendered effective by movement of the carrier to a position adjacent the cutter spindle for causing the jaws to engage the key blank, a

while being operated upon by the cutter, springs for urging the roller against the blank, and means for ejecting the blank from the carrier during movement of the carrier away'from the cutter spindle.

4. In a machine for milling grooves in key blanks, the combination of a cutter carrying spindle bodily movable relative to the blank; a blank carrier providing a recess for loosely receiving a key blank; a slide longitudinally movable with respect to the carrier, said slidehaving a notch for receiving the head of the key blank; jaws associated with the carrier for gripping the side edges of the key blank; means operable as the carrier moves from its normal position toward the cutter for actuating the slide causing the head of the key to be clamped longitudinally between the carrier and slide; means rendered eiTective by movement of the carrier to a position adjacent the cutter spindle for causing the jaws to grip the side edges of the key blank; and yieldable means for holding the key blank against rocking as the cutter operates upon the blank.

5. In a machine for milling grooves in blanks the combination of a plurality of cutters bodily movable relative to the blank, a blank carrier including a slide providing a recess for receiving loosely a key blank; means carried by the carrier for actuating the slide longitudinally with respect to the carrier as the carrier approaches the cutters so as to reduce the longitudinal dimension of the recess and clamp the head of the key blank between the slide and carrier, movable jaws adapted for laterally gripping the side edges of the blank; means cooperating with the jaws when the carrier is in a position near the cutters for causing the jaws to engage the key blank; and hold-down means under which the blank passes for maintaining the blank in the recess while the cutter operates upon the blank.

6. In a machine for milling grooves in key blanks, the combination of a cutter carrying spindle bodily movable relative to the blank; a blank carrier providing a recess for receiving a blank from a magazine from which the blanks gravitate; a slide supported by the carrier and longitudinally movable with respect to the carrier, said slide moving the blank from under the magazine; spring urged means carried by the carrier and operable to move the slide longitudinally in respect to the carrier as the carrier moves from its normal or home position toward the cutter, said yieldable means causing the head of the blank to be clamped between the slide and carrier; yieldable jaws carried by the carrier; cam means for actuating the yieldable jaws, to grip the side edge of the key blank as the carrier approaches the cutter; and yieldable means for engaging the top face of the blank so as to prevent the blank from tilting as the cutter operates upon the blank;

7. In a machine for milling grooves in key blanks thecombination of a cutter carrying spindle bodily relative to the blank; a blank carrier having a recess for receiving a blank; a slide longitudinally movable in the recess; means pivotally supported on the carrier and coupled with the carrier means cooperating with the slide for holding theslide in one position to permit a key blank to drop by gravitation from a magazine into the recess; spring means for actuating the pivot means so as to move the slide longitudinally relative to the carrier as the carrier moves from its normal position toward the cutter spindle to clamp the blank between the carriervand the slide; re silient jaws associated with the carrier; stationary means for causing the jaws to grip the side edges of the blank as the carrier approaches the cutter spindle; cam means for holdingthe cutter out of the path of the blankas the blank is moved toward cutter, said cam means permitting the cutter tobngag and operate upon the blank incident to the movement of the carrier toward its home position.

LORA E. POOLE. 

